HARRY W. NICE, GOVERNOR. 1355

Government and municipal corporations, and to recommend
to the Governor and the General Assembly the enactment
of such legislation relating thereto as may be deemed de-
sirable.

WHEREAS, the Public Local Laws of the State constitute a
much greater volume of the legislation of the State than do
the Public General Laws; and

WHEREAS, If the County Commissioners were given the
power to regulate many matters of purely local concern, it
would relieve the General Assembly of a great amount of work
and would at the same time add to the convenience of the
people living in the several counties; and

WHEREAS, Much of the legislation enacted at each session of
the General Assembly is of such a nature that the County
Commissioners could accomplish the same purpose if given the
power and could more promptly modify or amend such enact-
ments if unsatisfactory; and

WHEREAS, Local legislation affecting purely local affairs
should be regulated by local governing bodies; and

WHEREAS, There are one hundred and fifty incorporated
cities and towns, exclusive of Baltimore City, in the State of
Maryland; and

WHEREAS, Each of these cities and towns has been incor-
porated by a special Act of the General Assembly of Mary-
land; and

WHEREAS, Each of these charters contain provisions very
similar to each other; and

WHEREAS, These special charters or Acts constitute a large
part of the Code of Public Local Laws; and

WHEREAS, At each session of the General Assembly of Mary-
land numerous bills amending these charters are considered,
thereby consuming a considerable part of the time of the Gen-
eral Assembly; and

WHEREAS, This condition results in duplication, confusion
and unnecessary work on the part of any one concerned with
the powers of municipal corporation in Maryland; and

WHEREAS, Several States have conferred considerable legis-
lative power upon the governing bodies of the Counties and